HEARTSTRINGS ▹ P. PARKER [✔]

seven.

Gwen didn't return to her apartment that night. Tony decided that she'd be staying with him at the tower until moving day. After that, she'd simply move to the new Avengers headquarters, where she belonged.

Roxy and Tony were fantastic. After she had explained to them what Peter meant with his accusations, they kept her company and gave her ice cream while watching some Star Wars movies all night. The following morning, Tony called Midtown and said she was sick and wouldn't go to classes.

"Thank you for being the father you didn't need to be," she told him in a timid whisper.

"But I want to be," he countered. "I want to be the father you deserve." Gwen teared up when she realized he was deadly serious. "And you don't need to be a polymath, nor a superhero, nor have superpowers, to make me proud of you. I already consider you fantastic. And if Peter nor your sorry excuse of parents can't see it, then that's their loss."

She embraced him tightly. "You're the best," she told him.

"I know," he chuckled. "And Roxy can be the mother."

Said woman joined the pair on the couch and hugged them.

"We're not only fantastic superheroes, but we can also be fantastic parents," she said. "Don't worry about Peter. He'll come around. He's just lost in his own imaginary perfect life that he can't see what's in front of him."

"Hey, no boyfriends until she's fifty!" Tony argued, embracing his fatherly role thoroughly.

Roxy rolled her eyes. "Don't listen to him, Sweetpea."

"So, can I ask a favor?" She questioned slowly.

"As long as it's not a boyfriend." He stood up and went to the kitchen to make some coffee.

"Can I bring a friend over?"

Tony stopped his motions and turned to her.

"Is it a boy?" He frowned.

"Let her finish, babe," Roxy rested her hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek. He calmed down a bit.

"My friend Michelle knows about, you know, everything." She smiled sheepishly at them.

"You told her?!"

"She's great at keeping secrets, and she's my best friend. We promised to go to the Homecoming together, and it'd be pretty cool to have a limo take us there..." She hinted, trying to plaster the best innocent smile on her face.

"Okay, fine. Bring her over. And the limo, consider it done. Take Pepper and Roxy to dress hunt, if you must." He waved at her as if it was nothing much. For him, it really wasn't.

Gwen squealed and kissed both of their cheeks. "Thanks!"

🕷